Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 96: The Last Tenderness

In the end, it had become a thorn in Raina Reddington’s side, something she couldn’t get over.

Even though he tried every way he could to be good to her, to make it up to her, it was no use.

She had seared it into her heart, where it was impossible to erase.

"Minnie Hale is just an outsider. Who am I? I’m your husband. Can’t you see I’ve been pouring my heart out for you?"

Raina had been cold and sensitive since she was young. Ethan Lancaster once said she was a stone that was hard to warm, and she was.

"Calm down. I don’t want to argue with you."

Ethan Lancaster placed his right hand beside her cheek, the pad of his other finger stroking her already swollen lips. "Then kiss me."

"No."

"Raina, have I been spoiling you too much?"

Raina ducked, slipping under his arm. "What’s between Miles Hawthorne and me is ancient history. You don’t need to worry about it."

"I’m going to the hospital I just took over tomorrow. I’ll be gone for two days."

Raina just said, "Oh." Ethan caught up to her. "The day I get back is Dad’s birthday. You have to be there too."

"Okay," Raina said, sitting on the edge of the bed. They had both calmed down. "What does Dad like? I’ll get him a birthday present."

"He doesn’t need anything." Ethan leaned against the wall. "But if you really want to get him something, get him books. He likes history books. Unofficial histories are fine too."

For the first time, Raina realized that Ethan was actually quite thoughtful. Even though he was a troublemaker in Zachary Lancaster’s eyes, he knew all his father’s preferences. He didn’t even bear a grudge after Zachary had beaten him so badly.

"Okay, then. I’ll go hunt for some books for him. It won’t be too shabby, will it?"

"What’s there to be afraid of? I’m here." Ethan was the one who could really handle things. Now that Zachary had taken a backseat, giving him lots and lots of money was always a safe bet.

The next day, Raina asked Annabelle Spencer for help. She couldn’t just run to a bookstore and randomly buy a couple of sets of books for Zachary Lancaster; that would be too thoughtless. Annabelle knew a lot of people, and after asking around, she finally came back with some useful information.

In The Triple Archway District, there was an antique street. A shop near the very end sold old books. As long as you knew how to look, there was no shortage of good finds.

Raina only managed to squeeze in the time to go on the day of Zachary’s birthday. The shop owner treasured these old books, so he was firm on the price. Raina didn’t haggle, simply paying with her card and leaving with the books in her arms.

The road ahead was especially crowded, filled with students and electric scooters. Raina gently lifted her foot off the accelerator.

Suddenly, there was a knocking sound on the driver’s side window. Raina looked toward the sound and saw a man standing there.

She got a clear look at his face and ignored him, but Miles Hawthorne kept knocking on the glass.

Raina rolled down the window, her tone cold. "What is it?"

Miles Hawthorne reached his arm inside and opened the door himself. As he got in, he saw the books Raina had set aside. He picked them up and placed them on his lap. "You read this kind of book?"

"What do you want?"

The moment she finished speaking, her phone rang. She quickly answered, "Hello."

"Where are you?"

"Almost there. I’m on my way now."

Ethan Lancaster’s voice was as bold as ever. "I’m already here, and you’re still dawdling."

"Well, I had to go buy a present."

Ethan said, "Oh." "Miss me?"

"I’m stuck in traffic. I’m hanging up."

Miles Hawthorne stared out the window with an unreadable expression. When he heard her end the call, he turned to look at her. "Raina, what happened to Felix Finch was my fault. I shouldn’t have let him follow me. He threw his life away for nothing."

"You should be saying that to his family. What’s the point of telling me?"

Raina honked the horn impatiently. The traffic ahead was still at a standstill. "Mr. Hawthorne, you should get out. You have too many enemies. It wouldn’t be good if I got dragged into your mess."

Miles Hawthorne looked haggard. Everything was proceeding step-by-step according to his plan, yet it felt as if half his heart had been hollowed out.

"Have you killed anyone?"

His eyebrow twitched. He pushed open the car door, and as he swung one leg out, he placed the books back where he found them.

He said nothing, slamming the door shut and disappearing into the crowd of students.

When Raina drove up to the Lancaster residence, she saw Ethan Lancaster pacing back and forth by the entrance. The moment he saw her car approach, he hurried over.

"For heaven’s sake, you’re finally here."

Raina got out, carrying the old books from the passenger seat. "Is everyone here?"

"Not quite," Ethan said, glancing awkwardly at the books in her hands. "Haven’t seen me in two days. You didn’t miss me?"

"Can’t you ever just talk normally?"

"Is that what you got for Dad?"

The books felt heavy in Raina’s arms. "Mhm."

"Good taste. He’ll definitely like them."

Raina followed Ethan inside. Zachary’s birthday wasn’t a huge affair, just two or three tables of relatives, including Ethan’s uncle’s family. The third young master of the Lancaster family, the one currently competing with Ethan for the land on Hawthorne Road, was also there. He looked much more composed than Ethan, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. The sharp look in his eyes told you he wasn’t someone to be messed with.

"Raina’s here." Zion Lancaster waved to her. "Come, have a seat."

Raina went over and greeted everyone one by one. Ethan casually draped an arm over her shoulder. "Just say hi to the important ones. No need to greet everyone. Don’t want to tire yourself out talking, do you?"

"Dad, happy birthday."

Zachary Lancaster took the old books from Raina, his eyes visibly lighting up. "Raina, you’re too thoughtful."

"I’m glad you like them."

Seeing this, Ethan pulled a bank card from his pocket. "Dad, happy birthday."

Zachary glanced at it. "This is the present you prepared?"

"It’s direct, isn’t it? You can buy whatever you want."

Although Zachary sounded unimpressed, he still took the card, tossing it casually onto the coffee table. "You two go sit down. Dinner will be starting soon."

Jessica Jacobs saw him turn to go upstairs and called out, "Where are you going?"

"Raina gave me this treasure. I have to go put it away safely. There are kids here, they might damage it..."

Ethan’s voice was full of discontent. "So what she gives you is a treasure, but you just toss mine aside..."

Zion Lancaster shook his head with a smile. "Raina is your wife. Her gift is your gift. How old are you, still throwing a tantrum like a child?"

Those words completely smoothed Ethan’s ruffled feathers. He happily pulled Raina to her seat.

After dinner began, Ethan wheeled out a large cake, and Zion placed a birthday hat on Zachary’s head for him.

Zion personally lit the candles. "Dad, do you have a wish?"

Zachary was usually a serious man, but today his children were making him a bit bashful. "I just want to hold a grandchild soon."

Ethan looked at Raina with a smile playing on his lips. How could Raina meet his gaze? She quickly averted her eyes.

"I’ll work on it. I’ll definitely make your wish come true."

Zachary stood up and blew out the candles. Ethan cut the first slice of cake and placed it beside him.

He really felt that his son had matured a lot since getting married. Zachary scooped up a small bite of cake and brought it to his lips.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the door. Zachary put down his cake and saw a group of uniformed people walk in. Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what was happening.

The man in the lead took a few steps forward. "Hello. We’re from the investigation team."